Being One Who Is Precious and Whom God Values Highly — Ajay Chakravarthy — April 14, 2024
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon uses the analogy of rare and precious items, like gold and pearls, to illustrate how God views people on Earth. It contrasts those who bring joy to God (like Job, who exemplified integrity and fear of God) with those who are like thorns or sand. The central message is that true value in God's eyes comes from a life characterized by integrity, uprightness, and a deep fear of God, rather than material wealth or outward piety.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What brings joy to the Father's heart?When God looked at Jesus walking on earth, He declared Him to be His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased.Luke 3:22
Job as a rare pearlGod testified that there was no one on earth like Job, describing him as blameless, upright, and fearing God.Job 1:8
Thorns and angerWhile God delighted in Job, His wrath was kindled against Job's critical friends who spoke words that stung like thorns.Job 42:7
What made Job different?Job made a covenant with his eyes to turn away from evil and maintained his integrity even when no one was watching.
Being in touch with the living GodElisha wanted others to know there was a true prophet in Israel, demonstrating what it means to be in touch with God.
Refusing to settleWhile the other sons of the prophets settled in various places, Elisha refused to leave Elijah and kept pressing forward.
The danger of greed and liesGehazi let sin and the love of money creep into his heart, leading him to lie to Elisha and incur leprosy.2 Kings 5:22
Saying yes among the multitudesOut of 600,000 men who saw God's miracles in the wilderness, only Joshua and Caleb said yes to God's promise.
Precious in the sight of GodPeter notes that a gentle and quiet spirit is of great value and precious in the sight of God.
Mary sitting at Jesus's feetWhile Martha was anxious and complaining about serving, Mary sat quietly at the Lord's feet listening to His word.Luke 10:38
Pouring out the alabaster oilMary broke her expensive perfume to anoint Jesus, and though others scolded her, Jesus defended her beautiful deed.
Timothy's kindred spiritPaul commended Timothy as having a kindred spirit who was genuinely concerned for the welfare of others rather than his own interests.Philippians 2:19
Where thorns grew, cypress trees will growGod offers a promise that where thorny bushes once grew, great trees will rise up in their place.Isaiah 55:13
God transforms a thorn like PaulPaul started as a thorn who persecuted the church, but God chose him as a precious vessel to bring the gospel to many.
Precious thoughts toward usGod ordained our days before we were born, and His thoughts toward us outnumber the sand.Psalm 139:16
